Oakland: Fires Continue to Plague Low-Income Residents

Oakland City Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Oakland Global Logistics Center at the site of the former Oakland Army Base in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. Phase 1 of the project, by San Francisco-based Prologis, is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2017.(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A tent fire that broke out Monday night at a regulated campground at 35th & Magnolia streets destroyed 12 tents. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and there were no known injuries.

This is the latest life threatening fire that is affecting growing numbers of low-income residents, who are living in substandard housing and homeless encampments,

According to City Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney, who issued a press release Thursday, “This fire, together with the fire that destroyed 2551 San Pablo underscore our need to do more.”

“The Mayor’s budget proposal is deeply disappointing,” she said. “As the council considers the FY17-19 Budget, I will bring forward bold proposals to secure more housing and improve public safety and alleviate the public health concerns raised by unregulated campsites.”